Food or catarrhal gastritis is an inflammatory lesion of the surface layer of the gastric mucosa due to prolonged use of too spicy, fried foods or low-quality foods. It is observed in most inhabitants of the planet. The severity of symptoms depends on the prevalence of the pathological process.
Development mechanism
Alimentary (food) catarrhal gastritis is extensive, as it spreads over the entire area of the mucous membrane. It is found in the vast majority of all such cases.
The pathological process occurs due to irritation of the mucous membrane with harmful food or other negative factors. It develops in a matter of hours.
Most often, it is the antrum of the stomach that is affected. The fact is that the acid that forms in the stomach enters its upper sections. This aggressive fluid significantly damages the walls of the organ.
Reasons for the appearance
The causes of catarrhal gastritis are as follows.
- Frequent use of dishes containing a large number of coarse inclusions that can damage the walls of the organ. The same effect is observed with insufficient chewing of food.
- Intoxication of the body resulting from the use of expired products.
- Taking certain drugs on an empty stomach. They have an aggressive effect on the mucosa.
- The constant use of spicy and fatty foods, alcoholic beverages.
- Infectious lesions of the gastrointestinal tract or neighboring organs.
- Constant stress, chronic lack of sleep, excessive mental or physical stress.
- Disruption of blood circulation in the tissues of the digestive system.
- Problems with the functionality of the endocrine system.
Very rarely, a genetic predisposition becomes the cause of catarrhal reflux gastritis. A violation of the functionality of the gallbladder makes itself known. Such gastritis can be a symptom of a more serious problem.
Symptoms of pathology
Symptoms of catarrhal gastritis appear suddenly and quite brightly. The following disorders of the digestive system are distinguished.
- Pain in the stomach and left hypochondrium, acute.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Increased salivation, followed by a feeling of dry mouth.
- Heartburn, belching, flatulence, impaired stool.
- Fatigue, fatigue.
- Headache.
- Grayish coating on the surface of the tongue.
- Bad breath.
- Complete or partial loss of appetite.
In some patients, catarrhal gastritis is accompanied by a slight increase in temperature. A severe form of the disease leads to dehydration due to repeated vomiting. Here the patient will need medical attention. A mild form of pathology does not require intervention and passes on its own after a few days with a diet.
Disease classification
Treatment of antral catarrhal gastritis should be started only after its type and stage of development are determined. Classify the pathology as follows.
- Acute catarrhal gastritis. It is provoked by excessive consumption of alcohol, heavy food. Stress can also cause inflammation. The gastric mucosa cannot recover quickly. The patient develops pain, nausea and belching, muscle weakness.
- Chronic catarrhal gastritis. It develops due to the lack of acute form of therapy. In this case, the mucous tissues of the stomach are greatly destroyed. Increases in secretion and motility of the stomach. The patient experiences discomfort in the mouth, problems with appetite, loses body weight.
- Focal catarrhal gastritis. It is characterized by partial damage to organ tissues. The presented form is extremely rare.
- Atrophic form. Appears due to genetic disorders. In this case, the immune system produces proteins that destroy their own tissues. The cells of the mucosa die, and the glands atrophy.
The effectiveness of therapy depends on how strongly the disease is developed and what form it has.
Diagnostics
The presented pathology requires examination of the patient using instrumental and laboratory methods. Diagnostics involves:
- clinical tests of blood, feces, urine;
- bacteriological culture and Helicobacter pylori testing;
- Ultrasound of the stomach;
- liver test;
- a study of gastric juice;
- X-ray organ using contrast agents;
- electrogastrography, which allows you to determine the motility of the stomach.
In rare cases, the patient is prescribed a gastroscopy. It is needed only with a running form of pathology.
Features of pathology in children
Symptoms and treatment of catarrhal gastritis in young patients deserve special attention. The manifestations of the pathology practically do not differ from the signs of the disease in adults. However, in babies, tissues recover faster, so an accurate determination of the cause is the key to quick recovery.
To prevent the development of complications in children, it is necessary to show them to the doctor immediately after the onset of the first symptoms. Diagnosis can be difficult because the child cannot always determine his feelings and their localization.
Conservative treatment
Therapy of the presented pathology provides an integrated approach. It is necessary not only the use of medicines, but also a change in lifestyle. Symptoms and treatment of catarrhal gastritis are mandatory information that a person who is prone to such a problem should have.
First of all, the patient is given gastric lavage, bowel cleansing through enemas and activated charcoal intake. In addition, the following medications will be required.
- Antispasmodics: No-shpa, Papaverin. They are administered intramuscularly. Medications help relieve pain.
- Antibiotics: Azithromycin. Such drugs are required only with the addition of a bacterial infection or the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the body.
- Anti-nausea: Cerucal.
- Saline solutions, "Rehydron". They prevent dehydration and are administered intravenously.
- Anticholinergics. Improve the functionality of the receptors of the mucous layer.
- Antacids. They help to reduce the acidity of gastric juice, which damages tissues even more.
- Adsorbents. They are used if the cause of gastritis was poisoning with poor-quality food or other substances.
However, overcoming the disease alone will not work. It is important to use other methods of therapy.
Special diet
In order for the treatment of catarrhal gastritis to be truly effective, it is necessary to eat properly not only during therapy, but also after its completion. Such a lifestyle will help to avoid complications and relapse of the pathology.
In the first few days of the development of the disease, the patient will have to starve to completely eliminate the load on the digestive tract. Subsequently, the gastric mucosa must be protected from the effects of irritating factors (chemical, mechanical or thermal). Therefore, do not eat heavy food. Spices should be excluded from the menu altogether. The daily intake of salt is limited.
In the acute period, food should be grated. It is better to eat boiled foods, as well as steamed dishes. Food should not be too cold or excessively hot. It is better to eat more often, but in small portions. The strain on the stomach should be minimal.
The patient is forbidden canned foods, sweets and pastries, chocolate and cocoa, strong coffee, black tea. Fried foods, fatty meats and fish should be discarded. Potatoes, cabbage and legumes are limited in use, as they contribute to gas formation. Instead, it is useful to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, low-fat cottage cheese, fruit drinks and kissel, stewed fruit, weak green tea.
Rosehip broth is also considered useful, since it contains a large amount of vitamins and other useful substances. The menu includes cereals, liquid soups.
Folk therapy
If the pathology is in the early stages of development, then it can be eliminated without the use of drugs. Moreover, some of them lead to aggravation of human condition. You only need to first know the severity of the disease and its type. Such recipes of traditional medicine will be useful.
- Potato Juice. You can use only freshly squeezed liquid until it has acquired a dark shade. A single dose of funds is half a glass. 30 minutes after this, the patient needs to eat. You need to drink the drug three times a day. The course of therapy is 3 weeks.
- Oat broth. It will take 5 liters of milk, which should turn sour. Further, cottage cheese is made from it, and oat is boiled in the resulting serum. The components are taken in a ratio of 5 parts of liquid to 1 part of raw materials. You need to cook the product for 3 hours. To the resulting broth is added 125 g of alcohol, as well as 300 g of honey. Take medicine is required for 1 tbsp. half an hour before meals. Previously, the liquid must be heated.
- Carrot or cabbage juice. You must be careful with the latter. Juice is stored for no more than 2 days. It is used an hour before meals twice a day.
- Honey. Mix 1 tsp. this product with 2.5 tsp aloe juice. Honey with olive oil and a small amount of lemon juice also helps.
- St. John's wort broth. The prepared product is used to restore the gastric mucosa after the end of the acute period of the disease.
A lot of time for the treatment of pathology will not be required. Folk remedies can be a good addition to the traditional scheme. However, any use of infusions or decoctions of herbs must be agreed with the doctor. Some plants are able to aggravate the condition of the patient, so you should not use them thoughtlessly.
Possible complications
Gastritis of this type rarely causes complications, but they are. For example, the inflammatory process over time leads to the formation of erosion on the gastric mucosa.
The acute form of gastritis can turn into chronic, and it is more difficult to get rid of it. Periodically, it will again make itself felt, and with the slightest violation of the regimen or diet.
Gastritis Prevention
Catarrhal gastritis-bulbitis is a life-threatening pathology. But it gives a lot of discomfort to the patient, so its development is better not to be allowed at all. To do this, follow the simple rules of prevention.
- Eat exclusively healthy foods that do not cause bloating, do not irritate the stomach and esophagus.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
- When the slightest discomfort appears, it is better not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor.
- Undergo regular preventive examinations.
- Observe personal hygiene.
- Avoid stressful situations.
Catarrhal gastritis is an unpleasant pathology that is not life threatening. But she is able to give complications that create a more serious situation. Therefore, it is better to listen to the recommendations of specialists.